Cobalt has expertise across all areas of competition law such as merger control, investigations into horizontal practices, regulatory investigations, and public and private enforcement actions, as well as state aid matters. Practice head and competition law expert Elo Tamm epitomises this breadth of expertise, and is described as ‘a top Baltic competition law partner‘. Described as ‘one of the top negotiators‘, Mart Blöndal is another versatile competition law practitioner, and Rauno Ligi is key for the group’s matters which are specific to EU law. Energy, waste handling, and healthcare are some of the group’s sector strengths.

Ellex utilises its sizeable team to operate as a one-stop shop for clients looking for assistance with complex competition law issues, such as merger filings, across the Baltics. Mandates also extend to litigation before the EU Commission and the European Court of Justice. Practice head Martin Mäesalu, whose clients include some of Estonia’s largest companies, has a history of representing public sector clients in state aid matters before such courts. Kevin Gerretz can be noted for his involvement in the group’s monopolisation and abuse of dominance cases, while Miikael Tuus also has a strong presence in the firm’s competition law cases, particularly in merger clearance matters. Raino Paron is another key name to note.

Eversheds Sutherland Ots & Co has a point of distinction through its skilful handling of complex merger control matters, which are often cross-border in nature, thanks to the firm's strong international presence and ability to act for well-known multinational clients. Team leader Risto Rüütel is very experienced in both EU and competition law, including investigations by the Estonian Competition Authority and the EU Commission and state aid matters, but stands out for his merger clearance work. Elsewhere, managing partner Maivi Ots is another standout lawyer in the team and is often engaged in M&A-related competition law issues. Senior associate Maarja Junti left the firm in May 2024.

The group at Sorainen handles both contentious and non-contentious competition issues, including merger control, state aid and disputes before the Estonian Competition Authority. In the words of one client, ‘one of the firm’s key strengths lies in the team’s extensive legal knowledge across multiple areas, ensuring clients receive comprehensive, well-rounded advice’. Kaupo Lepasepp, Mihkel Miidla and Carri Ginter head up the team, the former of whom is especially knowledgeable in areas of competition law such as prohibited agreements. Lise-Lotte Lääne, who is experienced in appearing before the Estonian Competition Authority, and Piibe Lehtsaar are other key names to note in the group.

As well as being regularly engaged to advise on the competition law aspects of non-compete obligations in shareholder and share purchase agreements, NOVE stands out for its work in public sector contracting, and a key area of interest for the group is assisting governmental institutions. EU law and public procurement expert Mart Parind stands out in this regard. In terms of private clients, the group advises clients in the retail, IT, healthcare, construction, energy, and defence sectors. Seasoned EU and competition lawyer Mari Past, whose areas of expertise include merger control and the competition aspects of commercial agreements, leads the team together with Veikko Puolakainen, whose strengths lie in contentious competition matters.

TGS Baltic, which merged with PwC Legal in February 2024, has bolstered its EU and competition team depth, while consolidating its strength in competition law investigations and private enforcement cases. The group acts for some of Estonia’s largest companies. The group has a strong track record of appearing before the European Court of Justice and the European Commission, and stands out for state aid-related cases. Practice head Triinu Järviste ‘is always on top of new case law and can suggest the best way forward in complex competition law or EU law matters‘, according to one client. Mari Anne Rohtla is another key name in the team.

Since its merger with FORT in May 2024, WALLESS has continued to be heavily involved in merger control, state aid and competition compliance, as well as acting in competition-related criminal and misdemeanour proceedings or investigations. The group is active across a range of industries, including pharmaceuticals and real estate, as well as heavily regulated sectors such as energy, where Liina Käis is adept at advising on antitrust and state aid matters. Versatile practitioner Kaisa Üksik, who now leads the team, is skilled in assisting clients with competition issues relating to M&A transactions and structuring business operations in compliance with competition law.

RASK Attorneys-at-Law’s experience in the competition law realm includes state aid analysis and related disputes. The group also assists clients with ensuring their day-to-day business operations are in compliance with competition regulations. Heading up the team is founding partner Tarmo Peterson, whose strength lies in complex disputes in areas such as state aid and unfair competition.

Practitioners at Triniti sit within a practice group which has been reconfigured to concentrate solely on competition law work, demonstrating a ‘thorough knowledge of competition law’ which covers anti-competitive agreements, abuse of dominance cases, merger control and state aid matters. Practice head Tanel Kalaus has been particularly active in merger control cases in 2024, and is well supported by Sandor Elias, who is predominantly active in the energy sector.